Don't think I've seen a season review thread up yet so thought I'd make one...
POST-SEASON REVIEW
Coaching:
- Our defencive systems have improved a lot, with another season under our belts (and better players) we should hopefully be better again next year.
- The approach to away games has been a focus and has improved alot because of that
- Fitness has been a huge reason for our improvement and with another off-season we'll only be better for it
- Attacking structure was loosened and there was more warrior ball. Though I'd like to see more trick plays and interchange between our Spine.
- The gameplan of using our backs for yardage so our forwards have more energy to defend is questionable, I prefer a BIG pack with FAST, SKILLFUL backs myself. It seems to be the trend with most teams going down that route so hopefully we're not getting stuck behind the times.
- Player selection suited my personal preferences more (less lisone, bunty to the middle, mannering to locke rather than second row)
- The forwards' minutes were questionable, Satae and Pulu only ever really got the lone 10-15 minute stint coming off the bench whereas Jazz got around 60-65. I'm not sure what Kearney's logic is behind that but it just doesn't seem to be working.
Final word: At the end of last season I said I wanted to see Kearney and the staff improve from their previous mistakes and in many cases they have, however they still have a ways to go. Hopefully our new signing can make a good contribution.
Grade: B+
Recruitment:
- Our FG signings were all really good (Harris, Beale, Green, Hiku, Paasi, Pulu)
- We need more signings for next year, especially in the forwards (it doesn't look like theres much going around so we might need to convice someone for an early release or go overseas)
- IMO re-signing Lisone and Maumalo were mistakes, hopefully we release them early. I can't see either of them making a good contribution to our long-term success or even offering much in the ways of depth. Could put Kata in the same boat.
- Luke: I hope the warriors stay tight with their contract offer to Bully (hopefully a 1yr contract on significantly less). If he doesn't take it we should go for James Segeyaro, Api Koroisau or chase Josh Hodgson like we were rumoured to be doing. Otherwise give roache a crack as a starter.
- Tevaga: Again offer him what they think hes worth and not a cent more, we cant be paying overs. If he doesnt want it then offer less to james bell and he'll do a similar job.
Final word: Kearney's kiwi/previous club connections have really helped and made a huge impact on our season, hopefully he can drag in a few more for next year.
Grade A+
Development:
- I really like the kinds of players we're bringing through at the moment (afoa, papalii, vuna) guys who are fit, hard workers who give it their best shot.
- It's also good that we're stearing clear of the talented ones who dont have the work ethic, that stuff just doesn't win 'chips.
- I'd like to see our young backs get a go in FG next season (soosemea, perham) in place of maumalo and kata
Final word: looks like we're heading in the right direction, hopefully we'll start to see the benefits of a more selective process in the next few years
Grade: B
Attack:
- Improved on last year, less structure more footy (which suits our players better)
- Still needs improvement, not enough front foot ball (requires more impact from forwards)
- We need RTS and Johnson sniffing around in the middle more often (play to their strengths) rather than rts taking hitups and johnson watching on the sideline
- Right hand attack is as good as we'll get it imo
- Our left side needs new combinations to get more strike, they don't offer anything 1020m out atm and teams know that (id go with Green, Pulu, Hiku and Soosomea, Papalii to the bench and maumakata to reserve grade)
Final word: We've loosened the shackles from last year but really need to break them off if we want to be a force.
Grade: B-
Defence:
- Vastly improved on last year but still conceding too many points on our off nights
- Scramble is really good and you can tell the guys are digging in for eachother
- Edge defense is still a struggle on some nights and individual missed tackles hurt us a lot
- Wrestle and slowing the ptb has improved a lot and we dont get penalised nearly as much as people were expecting (which is expected when the whole team is doing it properly)
Final word: Lots of improvement but will need a lot more next year if we want to be a top defensive team (which is what wins titles)
Grade: C
Forward pack:
- Guys are digging in really hard for eachother which is good
- Kearney's obviously sticking with his high workrate types but needs to give his big boppers more game time to make an impact (satae specifically)
- Still lack size in the front row but we're looking better. Paasi, Gavet, Afoa, Ah Mau, Satae are a really good start, hopefully we can get at least one more solid FG prop to add to that.
- Don't think I'd like to see Lisone around in FG anymore, these guys have impressed me much more
Final word: Improved on last year and like the players we're working with, one or two more signings and another big offseason with corvo and i think we'd be really well placed for next season
Grade: B-
Spine:
- Individually they had good seasons but don't combine as often or as well as id like (only combine on the attacking set plays in the 10m)
- Need more interplay between them i.e. Luke running with Johnson and RTS both in support, halves kicking/grubbering for RTS, Johnson/RTS trick plays etc.
- Kicking has improved but needs to be more consistent
- I like Roache, Lino, Perham and CHT as backup options
Final word: If we can keep this spine together and get them playing more creatively on attack while keeping their kicking game consistent I think they could be a top 2 spine in the comp
Grade: A-
Backline:
- Too big for my liking, especially that left hand side. need more speed and skill in the backline otherwise we're relying on our individual brilliance and right hand set plays way too much for points
- Maumalo and Kata are too one dimensional so I'd put Hiku on the left and bring in Soosemea
- Also contemplaing bringing Fus in to center on the right and using Perham on the wing, either way we need more strike
Final word: The guys do awesome to get us on the front foot but imo that shouldn't be their job. Hopefully Kearney sees this the same way and changes things.
Grade: C-
Bench:
- Too small for me, need at least a few BIG props coming off the bench or we completely lose any momentum we have
- Would go with Roache/Lawton, Afoa, Ah Mau and Papalii
Final word: Kearney started heading in the right direction earlier on when he was using satae and Pulu but went away from it and it showed.
Grade: D
My team for 2019 (signings pending):
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. David Fusitua
3. Gerard Beale
4. Peta Hiku
5. Lewis Soosomea
6. Blake Green
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Agnatius Paasi
9. Isaac Luke
10. James Gavet
11. Leivaha Pulu
12. Tohu Harris
13. Adam Blair
14. Nathaniel Roache
15. Bunty Afoa
16. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Isaiah Papalii
Final Word: Overall a good improvement and step in the right direction, we're definitely a team on the way up and should continue to be better over the next few seasons.
Season Grade: C+
POST-SEASON REVIEW
Coaching:
- Our defencive systems have improved a lot, with another season under our belts (and better players) we should hopefully be better again next year.
- The approach to away games has been a focus and has improved alot because of that
- Fitness has been a huge reason for our improvement and with another off-season we'll only be better for it
- Attacking structure was loosened and there was more warrior ball. Though I'd like to see more trick plays and interchange between our Spine.
- The gameplan of using our backs for yardage so our forwards have more energy to defend is questionable, I prefer a BIG pack with FAST, SKILLFUL backs myself. It seems to be the trend with most teams going down that route so hopefully we're not getting stuck behind the times.
- Player selection suited my personal preferences more (less lisone, bunty to the middle, mannering to locke rather than second row)
- The forwards' minutes were questionable, Satae and Pulu only ever really got the lone 10-15 minute stint coming off the bench whereas Jazz got around 60-65. I'm not sure what Kearney's logic is behind that but it just doesn't seem to be working.
Final word: At the end of last season I said I wanted to see Kearney and the staff improve from their previous mistakes and in many cases they have, however they still have a ways to go. Hopefully our new signing can make a good contribution.
Grade: B+
Recruitment:
- Our FG signings were all really good (Harris, Beale, Green, Hiku, Paasi, Pulu)
- We need more signings for next year, especially in the forwards (it doesn't look like theres much going around so we might need to convice someone for an early release or go overseas)
- IMO re-signing Lisone and Maumalo were mistakes, hopefully we release them early. I can't see either of them making a good contribution to our long-term success or even offering much in the ways of depth. Could put Kata in the same boat.
- Luke: I hope the warriors stay tight with their contract offer to Bully (hopefully a 1yr contract on significantly less). If he doesn't take it we should go for James Segeyaro, Api Koroisau or chase Josh Hodgson like we were rumoured to be doing. Otherwise give roache a crack as a starter.
- Tevaga: Again offer him what they think hes worth and not a cent more, we cant be paying overs. If he doesnt want it then offer less to james bell and he'll do a similar job.
Final word: Kearney's kiwi/previous club connections have really helped and made a huge impact on our season, hopefully he can drag in a few more for next year.
Grade A+
Development:
- I really like the kinds of players we're bringing through at the moment (afoa, papalii, vuna) guys who are fit, hard workers who give it their best shot.
- It's also good that we're stearing clear of the talented ones who dont have the work ethic, that stuff just doesn't win 'chips.
- I'd like to see our young backs get a go in FG next season (soosemea, perham) in place of maumalo and kata
Final word: looks like we're heading in the right direction, hopefully we'll start to see the benefits of a more selective process in the next few years
Grade: B
Attack:
- Improved on last year, less structure more footy (which suits our players better)
- Still needs improvement, not enough front foot ball (requires more impact from forwards)
- We need RTS and Johnson sniffing around in the middle more often (play to their strengths) rather than rts taking hitups and johnson watching on the sideline
- Right hand attack is as good as we'll get it imo
- Our left side needs new combinations to get more strike, they don't offer anything 1020m out atm and teams know that (id go with Green, Pulu, Hiku and Soosomea, Papalii to the bench and maumakata to reserve grade)
Final word: We've loosened the shackles from last year but really need to break them off if we want to be a force.
Grade: B-
Defence:
- Vastly improved on last year but still conceding too many points on our off nights
- Scramble is really good and you can tell the guys are digging in for eachother
- Edge defense is still a struggle on some nights and individual missed tackles hurt us a lot
- Wrestle and slowing the ptb has improved a lot and we dont get penalised nearly as much as people were expecting (which is expected when the whole team is doing it properly)
Final word: Lots of improvement but will need a lot more next year if we want to be a top defensive team (which is what wins titles)
Grade: C
Forward pack:
- Guys are digging in really hard for eachother which is good
- Kearney's obviously sticking with his high workrate types but needs to give his big boppers more game time to make an impact (satae specifically)
- Still lack size in the front row but we're looking better. Paasi, Gavet, Afoa, Ah Mau, Satae are a really good start, hopefully we can get at least one more solid FG prop to add to that.
- Don't think I'd like to see Lisone around in FG anymore, these guys have impressed me much more
Final word: Improved on last year and like the players we're working with, one or two more signings and another big offseason with corvo and i think we'd be really well placed for next season
Grade: B-
Spine:
- Individually they had good seasons but don't combine as often or as well as id like (only combine on the attacking set plays in the 10m)
- Need more interplay between them i.e. Luke running with Johnson and RTS both in support, halves kicking/grubbering for RTS, Johnson/RTS trick plays etc.
- Kicking has improved but needs to be more consistent
- I like Roache, Lino, Perham and CHT as backup options
Final word: If we can keep this spine together and get them playing more creatively on attack while keeping their kicking game consistent I think they could be a top 2 spine in the comp
Grade: A-
Backline:
- Too big for my liking, especially that left hand side. need more speed and skill in the backline otherwise we're relying on our individual brilliance and right hand set plays way too much for points
- Maumalo and Kata are too one dimensional so I'd put Hiku on the left and bring in Soosemea
- Also contemplaing bringing Fus in to center on the right and using Perham on the wing, either way we need more strike
Final word: The guys do awesome to get us on the front foot but imo that shouldn't be their job. Hopefully Kearney sees this the same way and changes things.
Grade: C-
Bench:
- Too small for me, need at least a few BIG props coming off the bench or we completely lose any momentum we have
- Would go with Roache/Lawton, Afoa, Ah Mau and Papalii
Final word: Kearney started heading in the right direction earlier on when he was using satae and Pulu but went away from it and it showed.
Grade: D
My team for 2019 (signings pending):
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. David Fusitua
3. Gerard Beale
4. Peta Hiku
5. Lewis Soosomea
6. Blake Green
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Agnatius Paasi
9. Isaac Luke
10. James Gavet
11. Leivaha Pulu
12. Tohu Harris
13. Adam Blair
14. Nathaniel Roache
15. Bunty Afoa
16. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Isaiah Papalii
Final Word: Overall a good improvement and step in the right direction, we're definitely a team on the way up and should continue to be better over the next few seasons.
Season Grade: C+
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